Frau in Schwarz (TV Movie 1989)

Frau in Schwarz: Directed by Herbert Wise. With Adrian Rawlins, Bernard Hepton, David Daker, Pauline Moran. A lawyer travels to a small seaside town to settle the estate of a recently deceased woman, but soon becomes ensnared in something much more sinister.

“A young solicitor from London, Arthur Kidd is sent to a small coastal town of Crythin Gifford to oversee the estate of a recently passed away widow Mrs Drablow. While attending her funeral, a mysterious lady dressed in black catches his attention. Supposedly Drablow lived a reclusive life, and locals kept pretty quiet about her. After this he heads to Mrs Drablow mansion that can only be reached on a causeway through the swamp during low tide. There he encounters the woman in black again in cemetery out back of the house, and things begin to get creepy as terrifying noises start coming from the marshes. Now can Mrs Drablowu0026#39;s belongings and listening to her recorded dairy entries help Kidd figure out this gloomy mystery that the locals fear to talk about.u003cbr/u003eu003cbr/u003eOften highly regarded amongst horror fans as being one of the most chilling ghost stories ever and I can see their point. But only in doses does it draw upon tag. Yes, from what you can gather I was left a u0026#39;littleu0026#39; under-whelmed, despite really liking it. I was expecting goose bumps throughout the whole feature, but thatu0026#39;s probably it… expecting. Mainly I had a similar reaction with the 1980 haunted house thriller u0026#39;The Changelingu0026#39;. When you hear so many good things, itu0026#39;s sometimes hard not get caught up with it.u003cbr/u003eu003cbr/u003eAnyhow what the British TV presentation of u0026quot;The Woman in Blacku0026quot; effectively does is bring out a truly old-fashion, slow burn spine-tingling premise driven by its moody locations, disquieting atmosphere and first-rate performances. Subtly blankets the psychologically gripping story (adapted off Susan Hillu0026#39;s novel of the same name), as the simple mystery authentically opens up with a depressingly tragic tone and successfully characterises its protagonist. Little seems to happen, and can feel drawn out, but the fragile randomness of it catch you off guard. Whenever the camera focuses on the lady in black. Who mostly appears as a background figure, itu0026#39;s ultimately creepy. She might not appear all that much, but when she does…. Talk about unnerving! That also goes for that downbeat conclusion. Pauline Moran, who plays the woman in black, competently gets us nervous by just her gaunt appearance and sudden positioning. A pale look and those minor mannerisms just seem to haunt you. Sheu0026#39;s a spirit you donu0026#39;t want to cross paths with, yet alone let her see you. An accomplished performance by a marvelously moody Adrian Rawlins as the solicitor Arthur Kidd does hold it all together. In support are solid turns by Bernard Hepton, David Daker, Clare Holman and David Ryall.u003cbr/u003eu003cbr/u003eDrawing heavy on its lushly sombre rural town and foggy coastal locations adds more to the realistically eerie plight and the centre piece were everything unfolds in the forlorn, time-worn Victorian house that comprehensively suffocates the air with constant fear. Director Herbert Wise carefully fabricates alarming imagery that slowly covers one secretive piece at a time in a smoothly paved out rhythm of well-judged contriving. Instead of going out to shock us, some scenes contain a distressing intensity that wonu0026#39;t let go. The sound effects are masterfully used, by surrounding and disorienting the air. Rachel Portmanu0026#39;s harrowing musical score knows how to get under your skin during those eerie moments and then stay with you.u003cbr/u003eu003cbr/u003eThis rarity made-for-television feat is a stimulating rich and unsettling supernatural spook-fest. It might not share much new to the sub-genre, but it competently sticks to it strengths to deliver what counts in this curse.”